Polyphonie String Quartet

Founded in Edmonton in 2017, the Polyphonie String Quartet is a blossoming new ensemble. Versatile in classical and contemporary music, the quartet aims to demonstrate its musicality by performing contrasting programs. All members of the group (Virginie Gagné, Ewald Cheung, Ethan Filner, Julie Hereish) are integral Edmonton Symphony Orchestra musicians. The PSQ debuted its first official series of concerts in 2019 in Edmonton, interpreting pieces by local composer John McPherson, as well as Claude Debussy and Sergei Prokofiev. The Edmonton Journal has lauded the quartet as “well matched in sheer quality of string playing, tonally secure, and already with a musical rapport between them."

In the summer of 2019, the quartet continued its reach by participating in the C'mon Festival with memorable performances by Canadian composers Nicole Lizée and George Andrix. In August 2019, the quartet welcomed new members, violist Ethan Filner and cellist Julie Hereish, (also recent additions to the ranks of the ESO), who bring with them exciting new programming perspectives. In February 2020, they debuted at the Winspear Centre, performing Canadian artist Tanya Tagaq’s string quartet Sivunittinni as part of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's Perfect Pairing Series. Loaded with passion and energy, the quartet continues to build its reputation as one of Canada’s finest ensembles.